Monahan Takes Edge Into ‘Bowl SK Action
The Speedbowl mainstay who won his second victory of 2007 last week, takes a slim eight-point lead over Rob Janovic Jr. into Saturday night’s 35-lap feature. Dennis Gada, who finished a frustrating fourth last week, is still in the hunt as well, just 24 back.
The SKs top Saturday’s five-division menu that also includes a 30 lapper for the Late Models and 20 lappers for the Sportsman, Mini Stocks and Legends, the latter two featuring torrid point battles as well. Qualifying begins at 5 PM and the features at 7.
Several drivers pointed out the track surface remains in excellent shape as evidenced by last Saturday’s “fastest lap” honorees, notably Zach Sylvester’s 14.265 seconds tour in the #49 SK. The 17.572 Mini Stock effort of Joe Godbout III turned some heads as well.
Monahan, a one-time Sportsman champion, is no stranger to “points racing.” The cars and the track condition “means everybody is getting faster.” Each position is often vital “in a sport where playing catch up is very difficult.”
“The last four or five years the SK battle has gone down to the final checkered,” says Race Director Steve Harraka. “It appears that trend will continue. These are seasoned racers.”
Danny Field, who specializes in late-race heroics, climbed to within 24 points of Mini Stock leader Ken Cassidy Jr. with last week’s victory. An accomplished point chaser, Field, after a third straight championship, is now a full-fledged charger along with Godbout.
The 2006 Wednesday night champ (he was second to brother Mark on Saturday night), Chris Bakaj takes a 12-point bulge on young Michael Gervais Jr. into the Legends action. Mark Bakaj, the defending champ, has finally got things sorted out, however, and will definitely be a factor.
Ed Reed Jr. seeks a third straight Late Model triumph. Reed’s resurgence has delighted his fans. He’s a strong contender for a high points finish behind current leader Bruce Thomas Jr. Others in that position include Ernie Bertrand, Tony Macrino, Vin Esposito and Larry Goss.
The Sportsman division is much the same, Jack Aquilina, Jim Procaccini and Billy Gertsch Jr. all trying to sort things out behind leader and defending champion Dwayne Dorr and the consistent Al Stone III.
Waterford Speedbowl Point Standings
SK MODIFIEDS – 1.Shawn Monahan, Waterford, 590;2. Rob Janovic Jr., Waterford, 582; 3.Dennis Gada, Salem, 561; 4. Jeff Pearl, Salem, 536; 5. Diego Monahan, Quaker Hill, 510; 6. Tyler Chadwick, Ledyard, 464; 7. Jeffrey Paul, Ledyard, 456; 8. Dennis Charette, Southington, 452; 9. Don Fowler, Clinton, 428; 10. (tie)Kenny Horton, Guilford; Frank Mucciacciaro Jr., Milford, 388.
LATE MODELS: 1. Bruce Thomas Jr., Groton, 650; 2. Ernie Bertrand, N.Branford, 560; 3. Anthony Macrino, Waterford, 536; 4. Vin Esposito, Seymour, 522; 5.Ed Reed Jr., Waterford, 512; 6. Larry Goss, N.Windham, 506; 7. Allen Coates, Ledyard, 488: 8. Tim Jordan, Norwich, 414; 9. Rich Duranti, Quaker Hill, 410; 10. Dave Zemke, Guilford, 406.
SPORTSMAN: 1. Dwayne Dorr, Ledyard, 660; 2. Al Stone III, New Haven, 514; 3. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale, 538; 4. Jim Procaccini, Trumbull, 526; 5. Bill Gertsch Jr., 504:
6. Josh Galvin, Gales Ferry, 482; 7. Dan Emery, Gales Ferry, 412; 8. Chuck Rogers, Quaker Hill, 550; 9. (tie) John Puglisi, Orange; Walter Hovey Scotland, 336.
MINI STOCKS: 1. Ken Cassidy Jr., Lisbon, 634; 2. Danny Field, Deep River, 610; 3. Joe Godbout III, Hope Valley, RI, 584; 4. Phil Evans, Uncasville, 524; 5. Chris Williams, Niantic, 488; 6. Randy Churchill, Norwich, 482; 7. Louis Bellisle, Lisbon, 4660; 8. Kyle James, Ashaway, RI, 448; 9. Jack Aquilina, Oakdale, 414; 9. Andrew Becker, Deep River, 410.
LEGENDS: 1. Chris Bakaj, Lebanon, 322; 2. Michael Gervais Jr., Southbury, 310; 3. 3. Mark Bakaj, Lebanon, 284; 4.Jason Palmer, Berlin, 266; 5. Eddie Field, Deep River, 260; 6. Brian Quimette, Chaplin, 250; 7. Max Zachem, Preston, 212; 8. Daniel Bisignano, Roxbury, 180; 9. Artie Moran Jr., Preston, 178; 10. Justin Rau, Plantsville, 176.
Sources: Pete Zanardi/Waterford Speedbowl PR